Scripture Focus (Matthew 24:36-44) – “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. [37] For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, [39] and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. [41] Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. [42] Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. [43] But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
I. Remember The Secret Hour (36)
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 – “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”
II. Recognize The Surrounding Season (37-39)
Days of advanced warning (37) – “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Days of undisturbed presumption (38) – “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark…”
Days of irreversible regret (39) – “…and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
III. Envision The Actual Moment (40-41)
“Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.”
IV. Acknowledge The Ongoing Preparation (42-44)
Jesus says what Noah said (42) – “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”
Jesus offers a practical illustration (43) – “But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.”
Jesus repeats the sober warning (44) – “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”